Question

Four signal flags - one red, one blue, one yellow, and one green - can be arranged from top to bottom on a signal pole. Every arrangement of the four flags is a different signal. How many different signals using all four flags have the red flag on top?

Answer 1

four flags times three switchable colors
4 * 3 = answer
(I think, I may not be the best at probability, sorry)

Answer 2

Why three...?

Answer 3

@sleepyhead314

Answer 4

red is stuck
the other THREE colors get to move around

Answer 5

Alright, but 12 isn't an answer. I thought since it was one red, one blue, one yellow, and one green, four times, you'd have to multiply \(4 \times \ 4\).

Answer 6

right sorry
I just tried it the long way...
RBYG
RBGY
RYGB
RYBG
RGBY
RGYB
6 combinations
same idea that since red is stuck
only 3 can move
but mathematically that would be represented by 3!
or 3 factorial = 3 * 2 * 1 = answer

Answer 7

So the answer is 6.

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

Thank you. c: